Aim

To provide learners with an understanding of how organisations use information systems to help them manage their specific needs.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

1. Understand information needs within different functional areas of organisations

2. Be able to compare information systems

3. Be able to use information systems to produce management information

SCENARIO: Genesis Online Company

Genesis Online is a medium sized e-commerce company that sells student resources like books and pens online. On average, it has about 300 customers a day accessing the company e-commerce site.

Genesis Online has offices at three locations supporting a total of 250 employees. The company has a file and print server as well as a public web server that hosts the e-commerce website

The internal network for Genesis Online is logically divided according to the departments in the company. The departments include HR (Human Resources), IT (Information Technology), Accounting, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing, and Inventory.

As the Network Manager, you have been asked to analyse the information needs of Genesis Online at different levels and within different functional areas; and to use the ‘Genesis Information Systems' detailed in Project 2, thus:

Project 2:

An Integrated information system called ‘Genesis Information Systems' was designed and built by another consultant. You are required to use this information system to generate management information in compliance with set criteria.

Project 3 (For information only - this will be developed in due course):

Genesis Online requires a new security policy for the design, implementation and management of the company's network security solutions. As part of the contract between your company and Genesis Online, you also need to analyse the current network of Genesis Online and suggest alternative secure network designs.

PART 1 - Business information concept

Learning Outcomes
LO1: Understand information needs within different functional areas of organisations
LO2: Be able to compare information systems

Task 1:

You are required to evaluate the information needs of the different functional areas of Genesis Online

Task 2:

• Describe a minimum of six (6) different types of information systems
• Investigate the current trends (i.e. technology) in using information systems applications to solve business problems
• Evaluate the suitability of information systems for different functional areas of an organisation

Part 2 - Produce management information

Learning Outcomes
LO3: Be able to use information systems to produce management information
• Management information
• Gathering information
• Selecting information

Instruction:

In relation to the Genesis Information System (GIS) provided; you are required to use the system (GIS) and generate reports that are valid, accurate and useful in compliance with the criteria given below:

Task 1:

1. Using the GIS system to perform the following transactions and submit annotated printouts of each output as evidence (3.1):

a. List the details of all customers held by Genesis Online.
b. List the details of customers order by a particular time frame
c. List the details of customers order by particular date
d. Preview customers' orders by date as a report
e. Preview at least 2 customers' order history

Task 2:

• Evaluate alternative methods of solving the above problem

NB:
See the course guide (unit content) amplifications to help you understand the depth of the learning outcomes and their respective elements.